Handbag frame



Dec. 31', 1940. J' GREEN 2,227,390

HANDBAG FRAME- Filed March 14, 1939 ll\ VENTOR BY :l

TTORNE 55 Patented Dec. 31, 1940 UNITED STATES HANDBAG FRAME Jack Green, Newark, N. J., assignor to The J. E. Mergott Company, Newark, N. J., a corporation of Delaware y Application March 14, 1939, Serial No. 261,695

4 Claims.

This invention relates to handbag frames and the like.

In one form of handbag frame, two spring strip members are disposed to extend in parallel relai tion and are provided with pivotal means interconnecting the end portions of said members to be swung into and out of said parallel relation with respect to the other member, the construction and arrangement of the pivotal means being such that relative swinging movement of said members serves to resiliently bow both members for shaping the bag opening. Up to a particular extent of opening, the resilient members tend to return to closed position, but after reaching such extent, tend to remain in open position.

An object of this invention is a bag frame of the type above referred to having provision for preventing opening of the bag frame members beyond a certain extent and impositively holding the frame members in such position.

Other objects, novel features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following specicaton and accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a closed handbag equipped with a frame embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a similar view with the bag in open condition; i

Fig. 3 is an elevation of the frame;

Fig. 4 is an exploded view of one end of the frame;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal section through the frame; 4

Fig. 6 is a View similar to Fig. 5 with the frame in open position, and

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary elevation of the remaining end of the frame.

A bag III which may be composed of any suitable material is provided with a top opening to the edges of which is attached a frame embodying the invention. Such frame consists of two spring members II and I2 pivotally connected at their ends and the member II being slightly longer than the member I2 so that the two members assume the bowed position shown in Fig. 3 when in overlying relationship or in closed position. The material of the bag is attached to the frame members II and I2 in any suitable manner.

At one end of the frame member II is provided a pivot aperture I3a and also an aperture III inwardly spaced from the aperture I3a while at the corresponding end of the frame member I2 is provided a pivot aperture I3b and a second aperture I5 spaced outwardly therefrom. In the formation of the aperture I5, the metal of the member I2 is forced outwardly over approximately one-half the circumference of the aperture while over the remaining one-half the metal is forced inwardly, thus forming shoulders I5a and I5b. Between the member II and I2 is arranged a spacer I6 having a lug I'I extending into the aperture I4 in the member II to attach the spacer I6 to the member II for unitary movement. A rivet I8 extends through a washer I9, the aperture I3a, the spacer IE, the aperture I3b and a washer 20 and is provided at either end with heads by means of which the rivet holds the other elements in assembled pivoted relationship.

The spacer I6 likewise is provided with a protrusion 2I extending toward the frame member I2. As shown in Fig. 5, .the protrusion 2l engages the frame member I2 when the frame members are in closed position. Upon movement of the frame members to the position shown in Fig. 2, the protrusion 2| comes into register with the aperture I5 and into engagement with the inwardly extending shoulder I5b as shown in Fig. 6, thus locking the two frame members against further relative movement. In this position of the frame members, the tendency of such frame members to return to closed position has been overcome to such extent that the protrusion ZI also acts as an impositive latch to prevent accidental closing of the frame members. However, upon the application of pressure to the frame members tending to return them to closed position, the protrusion 2l rides up on to the normal surface of the frame member I2 to permit closure of the bag.

As shown in Fig. 7, the remaining ends of the frame members II and I2 are pivotally connected by an arrangement similar to that above described except that the spacer lacks the lug Il and the protrusion 2| and the frame members lack the apertures I4 and I5. However, should it be found desirable to provide duplicate locking means at both ends of the frame members, it is co-ntemplated that the same may be done in which event the pivot means at each of the frame members I2 will be identical. It is to be noted that the pivot arrangement is such that the swinging movement of one member with respect to the other on the pivots to closed or open position is in a curvilinear direction which intersects the plane common to the longitudinal axes of the members in their parallel relationship.

I claim:

l. A bag frame comprising a pair of parallel alined spring strips normally positioned in overlying relation, pivot means extending at right angles to said strips interconnecting the adjacent end portions thereof, said strips being swingable out of said alinement on said pivot means for laterally bowing both strips, and means carried on said pivot means between said strips and cooperating with means on said strips for limiting opening movement of said strips and impositively retaining them in open position.

2. A bag frame comprising a pair of different length flat spring members, pivots connecting corresponding ends of said members, a spacer between corresponding ends of said members and having a protrusion, and means connecting said spacer with one member, said other member having an aperture to receive said protrusion in one relationship of said members.

3. A bag frame comprising a pair of different length at spring members, pivots connecting corresponding ends of said members, a spacer between corresponding ends of said members and having a protrusion, and means connecting said spacer with one member, said other member having an aperture adapted to register with said protrusion and the other member over a portion of the circumference of said aperture being bent toward said spacer for engagement by said protrusion.

4. A bag frame comprising a pair of resilient strip members having faces disposed to extend in parallel relationship, pivot means interconnecting the end portions of said members to permit one member to be swung into and out of said parallel relationship with respect to the other member in a curvilinear direction intersecting the plane common to the longitudinal axes of said strips when in their parallel relationship, said pivot means being so constructed and arranged that relative swinging movement of said one member in said curvilinear direction on the axes of said pivots serves to bow both said members, and means carried on said pivot means between said members and cooperating with means on said members for limiting opening movement of said members and impositively retaining them in open position.

JACK GREEN. 

